“Having spent a few weeks in a nearly all-female office environment, I see that criticism is delivered in subtler ways (whatever people’s impressions are of fashion editors, there is no shouting here). My favorite is what I call it the “criticism sandwich.” You’re probably asking yourself, “What is a criticism sandwich?” but I’m willing to bet you hand out or receive these sandwiches all the time without realizing it. The CS (for short) is best described in an example. Let’s say Jane wants to tell Sally that the presentation she’s working on needs a better introduction. If Jane used a CS she might say something like, “Sally, I loved the conclusion of your presentation, but the introduction needs some polish. And oh, what a cool necklace! Is it antique?” The only thing that Jane wanted to convey was that the introduction sucked, but by using the CS she gets her point across with less resistance (and fewer tears) from Sally.” - Stewart Bradley, on fashion and girls and the way they work together (plus a pretty precious mistake since we’re pretty sure he meant “vintage”) on ELLE.com.

In light of everyone’s general distaste over the Fall 09 runways leading straight back into the 80’s/90’s, we bring you a glimpse of happier times.

Picture it: 1991, that girl from Married with Children had her own poster, and you totally swooned over all the high-tension scenes - Yes, it’s Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.

Since it was on air yesterday, we took the time to record and YouTube one of the best scenes - Sue Ellen finds out her uniform-making company’s going down the dumps, but she uses her teenage fashion prowess to whip together never-before-thought-of outfits in the basement factory, and wham, styles up a fashion show that saves the company.

Here she is in her aha! moment. You know you love those shoulder pads.

Remember back when the letters “MTV” actually meant what they stood for, and music was the entertainment of choice, rather than broadcasting the crushing of people’s lives? Don’t you wish you could have it back?

Well, don’t hold your breath. MTV’s just announced yet another reality show, this time having to do with fashion, which apparently is unrelated to their modeling reality show, Model Makers, which we’re still hoping never makes it on air.

The new show doesn’t have a name yet, but it calls for “all artists, designers, tastemakers, trend spotters, and anyone who thinks they know the fashion industry like the back of their hand” but who “don’t yet have on-the-job experience in fashion, but an understanding of what the public wants and how to give it to them” to apply for the chance to “work directly with a world-renowned fashion designer, entertainment mogul and street icon” to eventually “participate in the creation of a fashion line.”

Which may as well read: “If you’re completely out of your mind, have a vague idea that you want to work in something called “fashion” and are downright enthusiastic about making an ass of yourself with other equally delusional people on national television only to cut your blurry dreams short by giving everyone an unshakable, reality TV reference of yourself which will always stand in place for what should be your actual reputation, please, sign up.”

Interested parties can e-mail MTVcasting4fash…@gmail.com, parties who just want a little laugh with their lunch can read the full release after the jump.

PS. Does anyone not think the mogul in question is Puff Daddy?

Around Halloween, Bollywood launched their newest megafilm, Fashion, to incredible success but mixed reviews -

And it looks like they didn’t get enough.

Vogue UK reports that Naomi Campbell is set to appear in an animated Bollywood film, Jumbo, and even recorded a duet with Indian action movie star, Akshay Kumar, in Hindi.

No word on whether this is a serious attempt at yet another career for Naomi, but we’re secretly hoping she brings a cast of supermodels for back-up dancers on set.

Hey, did you know we vote in the next President in about five weeks?

Because if you work in fashion (or if you own a TV, buy newspapers, etc) there’s no way you could’ve missed it.

Way back in August, it was announced that a bunch of very cool designers (Zac, Marc, the Costello boys, the Rag & Bone boys, Narciso.. - and we don’t think we need to tell you Alexander designed the long tank at left) would produce some cool merchandise for Barack Obama’s official online store. And now that it’s up, we’re amazed they talked Marc all the way down to $75 for one of his bags (a canvas tote).

Then during Fashion Week, Barack pins became a hip accoutrement, as seen at Doucette Duvall and Rachel Roy (literally), to name a few.

Then Anna jumped in with that huge fundraiser, and Michelle Obama reciprocated by wearing fashion favorite (but mainstream nobody) Thakoon on the national stage twice, and now Marc’s decorated his Bleecker Street storefront with not just Obama love, but Biden caps to boot.

So, is it helping out fashion’s favorite candidate for President? Guess we won’t know for a few more weeks. But in the meantime, we really wonder whether there are any McCain supporters among the fashion designer set, and what kind of excuses they have to give when approached to design Obama totes and tees…

Since we were just a little too scared to ask Anna “what’s in your bag?” we took a brief hiatus, but now we’re back!

Clearly the Fashion Week remnants are still among us, evidenced by the eclectic mix we hunted down this week. Kiki de Montparnasse, more puppies, Ralph Lauren, finger puppets, and a visit from my mommy… just a few of the reasons I heart New York!

—JAZZI McGILBERT

“To our mind the work of a fashion designer is so different from that of an artist! We usually work in a necessarily more collaborative manner. We present our work twice a year, using the same medium, respecting the same human form, within an industrial framework, using industrial means of production, and having our work translated through the chain of distribution for our work.” — Maison Martin Margiela, on why fashion is not an art form in the new Interview